Variables

Slice provides a wide variety of types of variables that can be used to
create robust designs to capture data.

Numeric and Integer

Numeric and integer variables create fields that can have a predefined soft
and hard range of valid values. Units can also be added to numeric and
integer variables to assure better data capture, and to better define the
data in data exports.

Free Text and String

Free text and string variables allow users to enter any characters into a
multi-line text box, or into a one-line field. Use of free text and string
variables should be limited and not be used a general all purpose form of
capturing data.

String variables can specify a set of auto-complete values that will be
displayed to the user entering the data as they are typing.

Radio and Single-Choice

Radio variables will present the user a set of choices from which the user
can choose one response.

Radio variables can be displayed as a vertical list, a horiztonal list, as
part of a scale, or a dropdown list for domains that contain a larger set of
options.

Checkbox and Multi-Choice

Checkbox variables present the user a set of choices from which the user
can choose one or more options.

Checkbox variables can be either presented in a vertical list, horizontal
list, or as part of a scale.

Date

Date variables can have a hard and soft range, and can be displayed and
captured in a few predefined formats. For example the date July 3, 2016 can
be formatted as 07/03/2016, 03/07/2016, 2016-07-03, and 03-JUL-2016.

Date variables can include a "Current Date" button to quickly enter today's
date without typing.

Time of Day

Time of Day variables capture the hour, minutes, and seconds on which an
event occurred. Time can be captured and formatted using military time and
AM/PM time formats. For example, 1:06:50pm can be formatted as: 13:06:50 or
1:06:50 PM.

Time of Day variables can also be set to preselect PM by default, and also
to hide the seconds for simpler data capture.

Time of day variables can include a "Current Time" button to quickly enter
the current time without typing.

Time Duration

Time Duration variables specify the amount of time a task took in hours,
minutes, and seconds.

Time Duration variables can also be formatted and captured using only hours
and minutes, or alternatively only minutes and seconds.

Files

Files can be uploaded to sheets by adding a file variable to a design.
Uploads may not be over 10 MB, and should only be used as supporting
documentation.

Imperial Height and Imperial Weight

The imperial values allow a user to capture weight in feet and inches, and
weight in pounds and ounces. Data is exported in total inches and total
ounces respectively.

Both of these variable types represent a combo-variable type that eases
reporting, data capture, range checks, and data exports. Combo-variable
types have built in range checks and custom validations.

Signatures

Slice also allows a signature field to be added to designs. Signature fields
allow the user entering data to sign in a signature box before creating or
updating a sheet.

Calculated

Calculated variables are used to compute a value based on other variables
above it on the same design. Calculated variables are defined by a formula,
and can also be given an arbitrary format. A commonly calculated variable
for example is Body Mass Index given that height and weight are provided on
the same design.

Grids

Grids allow a series of variables to be asked a repeated number of times on
the same design. Grids can be used for repeated measures, and can contain
many of the above variables. Grids can have a preset number of rows, and
can also be set to allow or disallow the adddition of more rows.

Required and Recommended

All variables on a design can be set as Not Required (default), Recommended,
and Required.

If a recommended variable has no value when a form is being created, the
user receives a warning that a recommended field hasn't been filled out, but
may opt to save the sheet anyways.

If a required variable has no value, a user must specify a value before
being able to create or update the sheet. Increasing the number of required
fields on a form also increases the frustration of filling out the form, so
make sure to use the required setting judiciously.